NDA Early Years

Our three-tiered Early Childhood Development program for boys and girls starts with Pre-Kindergarten at 2 years 9 months and moves through two levels of Kindergarten until age 6. The hands-on, developmental program delivers a values-based education incorporating technology, environmental responsibility, cultural appreciation, specials including world languages, art, and music and provides access to our new mini makerspace exploration center.

NDA Lower School

Our co-educational Lower School program for grades 1-5 offers families a mission-driven, values-based education providing a nurturing environment of challenging academics, favorable student-to-teacher ratios, specialty classes that include art, music and world languages, and use of a newly upgraded science lab and brand new STEAM makerspace.

NDA Middle School

The Academy’s co-educational Middle School program for grades 6-8 provides challenging course work in language arts, science, math, and world languages and scheduling to meet individual needs based on learning readiness. The REACH program provides advanced work in math and English for those who qualify. The newly upgraded science lab and brand new STEAM Makerspace were specially designed to meet the needs of middle school students as they prepare for a future in the global economy.

NDA Upper School

The Academy of Notre Dame is the region's only all-girls high school with a rich history of empowering and educating young women since 1854. Our rigorous and supportive academic environment in small class settings provide real-life applications where young women are valued as individuals, challenged to achieve, encouraged to speak their minds, and empowered to lead. The outstanding STEAM- and humanities-focused academics have led our graduates to 100% college acceptance and more than $25 million in renewable merit scholarships since 2015.

Admissions

Thank you for exploring the possibilities that exist for you or your child at The Academy of Notre Dame. We invite you to click through these links to gather the information you are seeking about the Academy or to contact us at 978.649.7611, EXT. 327 or admissions@ndatyngsboro.org.

REACH and the Man Behind the Ties

Firm, but nurturing; fair and respectful. These are just some of the many attributes that characterize one of the most beloved and dedicated teachers at the Academy of Notre Dame. Not only is Jim Byrnes a consummate professional who is known for his successful teaching strategies, but he is quite possibly the best accessorized math teacher in the Lower School.

With a collection of well over 80 ties gifted to him by his students throughout the years, Mr. Byrnes can always be found wearing a statement piece. Whether made out of wood, velcro, or traditional materials, there’s a story behind each and every tie.

"I wear ties to school because I feel its only fair considering students are required to wear uniforms," explains Byrnes. "My collection started my first year here when a 4th grader shyly asked me if I liked ties. She got a huge grin on her face when I answered 'yes' and the rest is history. Even my colleagues give them to me now. Everyone seems to get a kick out of seeing me wear them and that's all the motivation I need to keep wearing them!"

Mr. Byrnes earned a BS in Mathematics and Secondary Education at the University of Lowell and a M.Ed. in Integrated Studies from Cambridge College. This year marks his 39th-year teaching. He has been welcoming students into his classroom at the Academy since 2011 when he transitioned away from high school and college curriculums to elementary and middle years math. Once here, he implemented and refined the Academy’s math REACH program for grades 4 through 8.

"The purpose of the program is to ensure that when students reach their senior year of high school they will be able to take calculus or AP calculus and the only way to do that is to get students past Algebra I in their Freshman year. The REACH program has been successful in helping students do that by providing a path toward matriculating one grade level ahead during their elementary years."

Seniors and former students of Mr. Byrnes, Priya Kumari of Tyngsboro and Amaya Murguia of Hollis, NH, say they are very grateful for his tutelage. “Any student who has ever taken Math Reach will agree that he truly cares about his students and is willing to help them learn whenever any concept is unclear. Because we were a part of Math Reach in seventh and eighth grade, we were able to test out of the Algebra I class and take the sophomore Algebra II class our freshman year. This has allowed us to take college-level calculus our junior year of high school. Mr. Byrnes’ exemplary teaching has provided for us a strong foundation in mathematics that has helped us to excel in both standardized testing and our academic courses.”

Mr. Byrnes enjoys a more lighthearted approach with his students at the Academy than what he had with older students at previous positions saying that his students are great about being able to laugh and joke and then get right back on task.

His students seem to thrive within this type of learning environment. In fact, among his 8th graders who take high school placement or math placement tests, 100% of them are recommended for placement in advanced or honors programs.

"His work with students is unparalleled," says Lower School Principal Elizabeth O'Connell. "Among Mr. Byrnes’ greatest strengths is his acute awareness of his student’s individual needs, meticulous preparation, and ability to break down concepts so students can more easily comprehend them."

"Mr. Byrnes teaches the whole class, but it seems like he teaches everyone individually," writes Cody Sheedy an 8th grade student from Pepperell. Also an 8th grader, Shreya Sagi of Nashua, remarks, "He is funny and influences me to be a better student.

With a tie collection that exists as a testament to the rapport he has built with his students and with the school itself over the years, Mr. Byrnes says he embraces opportunities to talk about his experiences in the classroom and share his views on the benefits of an Academy education. He, as well as all of the other Lower School teachers, will be available to speak with prospective students and parents at open house events on Sunday, January 29th and Saturday, February 11th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. He also recommends families schedule Shadow Day opportunities for the children to get a real feel for what it would be like to be an Academy student. For more information, call 978-649-7611, Ext. 327 or visit www.ndatyngsboro.org/openhouse.